Hauraki Rail Trail

This wonderfully laidback trail traces the Shorebird Coast and follows old railway lines between the historic gold towns of Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Waihi and Matamata.

It’s a flat, easy ride offering contrasting scenes – from the salt-licked Firth of Thames with its notable birdlife, to the verdant Hauraki Plains and a flinty gorge strewn with intriguing gold mining relics.

Located south of Auckland and north of Tauranga, the Rail Trail is split into four sections, with an exciting new section to Matamata (the home of Hobbiton) scheduled to open in 2019. The whole trail can be completed over 2–4 days, overnighting in atmospheric accommodation along the way. Day rides are also popular, with convenient bike hire and shuttles making the logistics a breeze.

The Hauraki Rail Trail is currently around 160km long, split into four sections. They are described below in an approximately north to south direction, although note that one section (Paeroa to Waihi) heads off on a tangent as illustrated in the map. The whole trail can be completed in two to four days, but all sections make excellent day rides.

Kaiaua—Thames

55km, Grade 1/easiest, 5–6 hours

Named ‘The Journey of Te Aho’, this section of trail follows in the footsteps of an early Māori settler, Te Aho. Starting from Kaiaua, its winds around the edge of the shallow Firth of Thames, over chenier shell banks and through wetlands of international significance.

The trail will officially start at Kaiaua when an extension is completed mid-2019. For now, a good place to start is the Pūkorokoro–Miranda Shorebird Centre where you can learn about the area’s precious birdlife before heading out to the hides to see them for yourself. Fanatical twitchers may wish to check ahead the arrival and departure schedules of various migratory species.

From Miranda Holiday Park and Hot Pools, the trail skirts around the Firth, following stop banks for much of the way. There are expansive views of coastal wetlands and verdant farmland, with the volcanic Coromandel Ranges a dramatic backdrop. Refreshments are available in the villages of Waitakaruru, Pipiroa and Kopu.

After the Kopu Bridge, the trail turns northwards for a few kilometres to reach Thames, an atmospheric town with plenty of dining and accommodation options. As you approach the town centre, look out for various sculptures along the community’s arts trail.

Thames—Paeroa

34km, Grade 1/easiest, 3–4 hours

This richly historic area was once only accessible via the two rivers, Waihou and Hikutaia. The Māori people believed that the deep valleys cutting through the Coromandel Ranges were carved by the thrashing tail of a taniwha.

This is also the place where bushmen, gum-diggers and gold miners sought their fortunes, routinely crossing over to the eastern side of the ranges on rugged bush tracks through forests of mighty Kauri.

It is amidst this history that this section of trail begins, at first following the old railway line out of Thames town and onward through lush farmland with the impressive ranges a constant companion to the east.

Matatoki’s Cheese Barn, The Coach House at Puriri and the Convenient Cow Cafe at Hikutaia are nicely spaced pit-stops. Near Paeroa, it’s also just a short detour to the Historical Maritime Park, once New Zealand’s most inland port.

Paeroa, at the southern end of this section is ‘world famous in New Zealand’ for its giant L&P bottle – a homage to home-grown soda-pop. Its antique shops are also notable. There’s also accommodation and places to eat for riders wanting to overnight here.

Paeroa—Waihi

24km, Grade 1–2/easiest–easy, 3 hours

The most popular section of the Hauraki Rail Trail follows the Ohinemuri River through the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, a deep canyon cut through the Kaimai Ranges.

Highlights of the gorge include a cascading waterfall, photogenic gold mining sites and the charmingly old-fashioned Victoria Battery museum, plus the freaky Windows Walkway that burrows through a shadowy side-gorge. The pièce de résistance is an amazing 1100-metre long railway tunnel, wobbled through with the aid of a torch.

Near the halfway point is cute Waikino Station where there’s a cafe and bike hire. This is the terminus of the vintage train that runs between Waikino and Waihi; it’s well worth timing your riding to coincide with its running times as it’s a pretty special experience. Otherwise, it’s another 8km of riding to Waihi.

With plenty of accommodation and places to eat – as well as proximity to glorious beaches – Waihi is a great base for your Hauraki adventures. This ‘Heart of Gold’ town still has an operational mine that can be visited on tours, plus the wonderfully interactive museum known as the Gold Discovery Centre.

Currently, the southern terminus of the Rail Trail is Te Aroha, a small rural town with historic mineral hot pools – a great way to soothe pedal-weary muscles. Te Aroha also has a lovely town domain, and is home to some great cafes.

Te Aroha—Matamata

37km, Grade 1/easiest, 2–4 hours

Currently under construction (scheduled for completion mid 2019), this gentle section of trail passes through fertile plains and significant horse studs.

It will eventually stretch all the way to Hobbiton, near Matamata, where visitors can get their Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings fix. (It’s well worth going for the gardens alone, never mind a refreshing pint at the Green Dragon Inn!) Along the way it passes various landmarks including the scenic Wairere Falls, Stanley Landing and the Firth Tower.

The beauty of the Hauraki Rail Trail is the ability to tailor a ride of almost any length, with plenty of options for return rides, or one-way trips for riders with a pick-up. The following are popular day rides.

Waihi—Karangahake Gorge (return)

34km, easy, 2–3 hours

This popular option starts in the historic town of Waihi, from where it’s a gentle downhill into Karangakahe Gorge, crossing bridges and sticking close to the pretty river. Check out the Victoria Battery and Museum and enjoy the attractions within the gorge including the 1100m-long tunnel, cascading waterfall, and the wonderful Windows Walkway.

Waikino—Karangahake Gorge (return)

18km, easy, 3–4 hours

Waikino Station’s cafe and bike hire make it a good place to launch a lovely ride into the narrows of the Karangahake Gorge. Check out the peculiar remains of the Victoria Battery, and be sure to bring a torch to guide you through the spooky tunnel. Plunge into the river for a swim and explore the walkways branching off from the reserve.

Thames—Matatoki (return)

22km, easy, 2–3 hours

This delightful ride heads along the Thames waterfront and town outskirts before following the rail trail through lush countryside to Matatoki Cheese Factory – the kids will love the fun farm park here. A bit further on is the Puriri pub.

Thames—Pipiroa (return)

44km, easy, 4 hours

This pleasant outing takes in the Thames waterfront, with its arts trail sculptures and other interesting sights. Having crossed the river, the trail follows the stopbanks to Bugger Cafe – a notable local cafe with a great sense of humour and heavenly ice cream sundaes.

Thames—Waihi

58km, easy, 6–7 hours

A long but enjoyable day trip for fit riders, this ride passes through farmland and the picturesque Karangahake Gorge with all its attractions including tunnels, waterfall and the wonderful Windows Walkway. Local shuttles can transport you back to your starting point.

For current trail status and any alerts – such as temporary track closures and detours – check the trail website or Facebook page.

FITNESS & SKILLS

The Hauraki Rail Trail is suitable for riders of all ages and abilities, being wide, flat and smooth for most of the way. Riders should take extra care on short road sections and crossings, and at cattle grids where wheels can get wedged.

Although the trail is well signposted and easily accessible from the highway, carrying the official map will enhance the experience by pinpointing landmarks and assisting with ride timings. The map can be downloaded from the trail website. A free brochure with maps and listings for local attractions is also available from visitor centres and many shops/accommodation providers along the way.

WEATHER & RIDING SEASON

The Hauraki region is blessed with a temperate climate, making for great riding at any time of year. Riders should, however, always check the forecast, pack appropriate clothing, and note that the wind direction can greatly affect the enjoyment of the ride. A hat, sunscreen and plenty of water are essential in the summer months as there are long stretches with minimal shade.

FOOD & DRINK

Dotted along the trail and in its small rural towns are numerous cafes, restaurants, ice cream shops and even a winery. Calling in for refreshments is a highlight of the trail, so plan ahead to hit the rights spots at the right time of day.

We recommend, however, carrying plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up; this is especially important out of peak season when some cafes and shops run on limited hours. Water bottles can be filled at settlements along the way; be sure to carry plenty on hot days.

CELLPHONE COVERAGE

Cellphone coverage is generally good; it can get patchy within the narrows of Karangahake Gorge.

Close to Auckland, the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki area is well set up for visitors. During the busy summer season, December–March, it will pay to book accommodation and transport in advance.

The historic gold towns of Thames and Paeroa make a great base for Hauraki Rail Trail adventures, with plenty of accommodation and eateries, but the trail’s other towns and smaller settlements also have much to offer.

Auckland airport is around 90 minutes’ drive away. Various scenic North Island highways connect Hauraki to other popular destinations such as Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō and the Hawke’s Bay.

Nationwide Intercity buses service all the towns along the trail, while smaller shuttle operators provide transport around the local area.

BIKE HIRE, TRANSPORT & TOURS

Bike hire, shuttles and luggage transfers are available from operators based on and around in the trail, with Thames, Waihi and Paeroa the major hubs.

While casual bike hire is usually easy to arrange on the spot, it will pay to book in advance during peak season (December to March). It is essential to book any shuttles in advance, too.

Several national bike tour companies also offer guided and other package trips on central North Island trails.